Issues Index June 2009

Ipsos MORI's June Issues Index shows that, according to the public, the economy remains the most important issue facing the country, as has been the case since September of last year. Over half (54%) see it is an important issue, though this represents a drop of five percentage points since May. This is also a drop of sixteen percentage points since January, when seven in ten (70%) saw it as among the most important issues.

Issues Index June 2009

Economy is still the top issue, but continues to fall

Ipsos MORI's June Issues Index shows that, according to the public, the economy remains the most important issue facing the country, as has been the case since September of last year. Over half (54%) see it is an important issue, though this represents a drop of five percentage points since May. This is also a drop of sixteen percentage points since January, when seven in ten (70%) saw it as among the most important issues.

Almost three in ten (28%) see Crime/Law and order as among the most important issues facing Britain, and a quarter (25%) cite Race relations/Immigration. These two issues were seen as the most important for much of 2007 and 2008, but there is now greater emphasis on economic concerns.

A quarter (25%) see unemployment as a key issue. This is an increase of five percentage points since May. This might indicate that concerns about the recession are developing in the public's mind, from generalised concerns about the national economy, to more about specific concerns about the possibility of being unemployed.

Ipsos MORI's Issues Index is conducted monthly and provides an overview of the key issues concerning the country. Ipsos MORI interviewed a representative quota sample of 983 adults aged 18+ across Great Britain. Ipsos MORI's Capibus vehicle was used for this survey. Interviews were conducted face-to-face between 26th Jun - 2nd July 2009. Data are weighted to match the profile of the population.